Kings reportedly take look at Ben Simmons amid NBA comeback

The Kings apparently aren’t finished shopping for veteran guards, and this one comes with a considerably bigger name.

Sacramento general manager Scott Perry is in Florida to watch free agent Ben Simmons work out, according to Carmichael Dave of Sactown Sports 1140. Dave cautioned that Simmons could be working out for multiple teams and that Perry’s presence doesn’t necessarily mean a signing is around the corner.

Still, there’s interest. And given where Simmons is in his career, that’s interesting enough.

Simmons, 30, missed the entire 2025-26 season and is attempting an NBA comeback. The former No. 1 overall pick and three-time All-Star has recently been back on the court, including workouts with members of the Australian national team.

Sacramento also happens to have room. The Kings currently have 13 players on standard contracts and need at least one more to reach the league minimum.

They’ve been examining veteran backcourt options, with Victor Oladipo, Cam Payne and Elfrid Payton among those previously linked to the team.

Simmons would represent a different sort of gamble. Nobody needs another explanation of the shooting issues. They’re real and have followed him throughout his career.

But at 6-foot-10, Simmons has also been an elite defender, rebounder and playmaker when healthy, and Sacramento is looking for another ball-handler behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr.

At this stage, nobody is signing Simmons expecting the version that made three All-Star teams in Philadelphia.

But for a minimum contract and one of the final spots on the roster? You could do worse than finding out whether any of that player is still in there.